The Magazine of Humboldt State University | Fall 2012

Adventures of Mushroom Hunters Fall 2012

From the President 2 Letters 3 News in Brief 4 Campus Scene Gear Heads: Cycling is on the Ascent at Humboldt State 10 Humboldt State Timeline 1963-1987: A Period of Change 12 ‘15 Strokes’ Rowing Team Stays Focused, Wins First-Ever National Title 14 Big Impact How HSU Researchers are Changing our Understanding of Concussions 18 Adventures of Mushroom Hunters HSU's Trailblazing Mycologist Terry Henkel and Students Hack Their Way Through South American Jungles to Uncover the Secrets of Tropical Fungi 24 First Person Studying Different Times & Places with Professor Benjamin Marschke 32 ‘Wine of Summer’ In Debut Film, Alum Leverages Humboldt Connections 34 Alumni News & Class Notes 36 Humboldt Honors Distinguished Alumni, Faculty and Outstanding Students of the Year 38 8 Things The First Day of School 48 Meet Humboldt Jahnna Morehouse, Critical Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies 49

ON THE COVER: Hydnodon thelephorum, a mushroom from the Guiana Shield.

THESE PAGES: Flying over the vast rainforest of Guyana's Pakaraima Mountains.

Photo Courtesy of Terry W. Henkel [ Feedback ]

I WAS ASTONISHED to see that the most recent issue of Humboldt magazine (spring from the President 2012) contained an article celebrating the absence of bottled water on campus. While a plastic water bottle-free campus is a wonderful environmentally conscious change, the article HUMBOLDT STATE WILL neglected to mention one addition to campus mark a significant milestone stores that replaced the voids that plastic bottles this year. Unfortunately, it once filled. Humboldt State University is now is not one that any of us will one of the few places in Humboldt County Submitted Photo wish to remember. that sells Icebox Norwegian Spring Water. If estimates are correct, Icebox water, as its name implies, is water I ENJOYED YOUR article in the recent edition this will be the year that imported from Norway and packaged in a paper of Humboldt about Ultimate Frisbee at HSU. more of HSU’s operational box. The Icebox Company boasts that these It brought back many memories of fun times budget will be paid by boxes are 100% recyclable. While that may be during the early days of a sport that has students than by the state true in some places, Humboldt County lacks grown exponentially since that time. I thought of California. That is, a carton recycling facility. Furthermore, how you might like to see what we looked like student tuition fees will sustainable is it for us to be shipping water back then so I am attaching a photo for your outgrow state funds. overseas from Norway, rather than honing in amusement. The image is from Nov., 1979, Students: $51 million. on our local resources? Of course, the Icebox at the first Humboldt Harvest tournament. State: $50 million. Company is ready with a response stating that Cheers and keep up the good work. “[their] small boxes have a Carbon Footprint The way I read that score, Chuck Dresel that is only one quarter of the comparable California is losing. We know (’83 History, ’90 Social Science) our prosperity depends on plastic bottle produced in the USA.” Would that highly educated citizens, fact remain the same as the Icebox industry but we are cutting back expands? No matter the size, shape and material JUST FINISHED READING the fall 2011 our investment in college of these water containers, they are still traveling Humboldt Magazine. The Timeline article opportunity. It could get thousands of miles to reach Arcata and to was great. Thought I’d share my memories even worse if a tax measure eventually end up in a landfill in Oregon. of HSU’s identity crisis while I was there. (Proposition 30) is rejected by voters in November, and the More broadly, it raises questions about how California On a positive note, I do applaud the preva- I attended HSU from 1971 to 1974. During “trigger” cut slashes another $5 million from HSU’s budget. will regain its economic strength. Higher education is a vital lence of drinking fountains on campus and, as those three years HSU changed from a This is not how it was supposed to be. California has engine for our economy. Instead of doing what we need to a reusable water bottle user, I advocate for college to a university (great!) and changed historically led the way in providing very affordable and do, we are cutting back. We are reducing our investment more “Hydration Stations.” I do believe that the its name three times in the three years while I accessible higher education. We showed the world how that in higher education, reducing enrollment and raising cost “Hydration Stations” in particular are a major step was there! I was accepted to Humboldt State investment can pay dividends in a high quality of life and barriers for students. Will our best and brightest simply in the right environmentally friendly direction. College in 1971. Next year we were California State University, Humboldt, and my last year a thriving economy. I certainly benefitted, like so many of leave the state? Or worse, will they opt out of higher Ana Kolpin we were Humboldt State University. I’m glad you. I remember paying just hundreds of dollars to cover education altogether? (Student, Environmental Resources Engineering) tuition when I attended San Diego State University. This fall, Californians will have an opportunity to take the University has finally settled on a name. Of course, we have seen this coming for some time. the first steps in turning things around. As you consider EDITOR'S NOTE: We checked in with Dining Steven Jehly The trends have been clear to anyone paying even passing the tax measure on the November ballot, I urge you to Services, and it turns out they've reached similar (’72, History, ’73 Secondary Education Credential, attention to the shrinking state investment in higher remember the importance of not only higher education, conclusions. The boxes are being phased out ’74, Elementary Education Credential) education. And we all know the Great Recession has wreaked but of our elementary and secondary schools. I hope this semester. havoc on budgets at all levels. you will conclude that it is time, once again, to invest in However, it is striking how fast it happened. Just last year, California’s future. even after many years of reductions, state appropriations still covered $13 million more of our operations than student Sincerely, LETTERS ARE WELCOME and may be published in upcoming issues of Humboldt magazine. tuition. The year before, it was $19 million more. As far as Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Send to [email protected] or the state funding goes, we are in a free-fall. address listed below. This is all incredibly hard on students. I have heard from so many of them who are struggling, who will end up Email: [email protected] twitter.com/humboldtstate Mail: Humboldt Magazine borrowing more and working longer at part-time jobs—that Rollin C. Richmond facebook.com/humboldtstatealumni is, if we can actually keep them in school. President Marketing & Communications 1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521 flickr.com/humboldtstate

2 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 3 [ News in Brief ] [ News in Brief ]

The World Ireland Portugal

Canada Russia by Tweets Norway Sweden Ukraine Belarus Poland GEOGRAPHY PROFESSOR MONICA Stephens created this Netherlands “map” of the world’s twitter action Germany Denmark with a colleague from the Oxford United Kingdom Internet Institute. It’s based on

about 4.5 million randomly selected, Spain Italy Belgium France other geocoded tweets from March 5-13. United States Mexico Twitter, they concluded, “might Japan South other

India China Korea Columbia be allowing for a ‘democratization’ Philippines of information production and Thailand sharing because of its low barriers

to entry and adaptability to mobile Chile other Turkey devices.” On the flip side, they

Nigeria Kuwait say that censorship could explain Saudi China’s meager showing. Arabia other The map was featured in The Brazil other Malaysia Indonesia Argentina Australia other Atlantic and a number of other Africa South media outlets. Box size denotes number Shade/intensity denotes The data presented in this map represent a 20 of geotagged tweets per country Twitter penetration percent sample of all geocoded tweets published Ratio of tweets Australia to internet users on Twitter between March 5 and March 13, 2012. Japan Professor Stephens blogs and Data collected by Devin Gaffney Belarus Map by Monica Stephens, Department of Geography, Humboldt State University shares her data-rich graphics at High Medium Low Mark Graham, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford www.floatingsheep.org Photo Courtesy HSU Athletics HSU Courtesy Photo Basketball head coach Steve Kinder and Scott Clark celebrate after the Lumberjacks won the 2012 California Collegiate Athletic Association title game. Students Put HSU's Massive Plant Collection Online Basketball Team Tops in Conference Play A DOZEN HUMBOLDT State undergraduates establish which species commonly grow together and determine have completed a three-year, $125,000 which species remain or disappear in areas of disturbance, such HIGH EXPECTATIONS PROVED no game. Hunter, named the tournament’s The transfer from Citrus College National Science Foundation project creating as fire locales. hurdle for the 2011-12 Humboldt State Most Outstanding Player, finished with 20 earned all-CCAA first team recognition a vast database of nearly 73,000 specimens men’s basketball team, which achieved points, as did teammate Brandon Sperling, for the second straight year. Hunter in HSU’s Vascular Plant Herbarium. In addition, scientists and students will be able to: its first California Collegiate Athletic another all-tournament team selection. averaged 18 points per game in the CCAA The digitization links Humboldt State’s XX ascertain the best places for a field study site and which Association Tournament title in head Also earning all-tourney selection was postseason tournament to earn the Jacks Herbarium, founded in 1960 and now the areas have not been thoroughly investigated floristically coach Steve Kinder’s second season senior guard Scott Clark, who added a an automatic berth in the NCAA Division largest in the California State University guiding the program. career single-game high 19 points to the II West Region playoffs. system, with counterparts statewide. XX find locations for uncommon plant species or habitat types “We knew coming in that we would Jacks’ big win. The Lumberjacks advanced to the Records of the vascular herbarium’s California specimens XX track changes in plant distribution, both natives and weeds have a target on our backs based on our Individually, Hunter topped the team in NCAA Division II Tournament for the 11th are uploaded to the Consortium of California Herbaria website, success the previous year,” Kinder said. postseason honors. HSU’s leading scorer time in the past 12 seasons. The 2011-12 administered by UC Berkeley. XX learn the best time in the season to collect flowers, fruits, “We took that as a challenge. We accepted and rebounder during the 2011-12 season campaign came to a close when the Jacks Concurrent with the completion of the database project, the her- seeds, or propagation material from different parts of the state that every team was probably going to was chosen to the National Association were defeated by the same Chico State barium recently marked the acquisition of its 100,000th specimen. or different elevations and determine if there is a site near their play their best against us, and we wanted of Basketball Coaches (NABC) all-region Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA Herbarium collection manager Robin Bencie said students restoration area where they can obtain seeds or transplants. to show that our best was better.” team for the second straight year. As a playoffs in Bellingham, Wash. The 2012-13 and other users will find the new database a versatile resource Led by senior forward Randy Hunter, junior he was chosen for second team season begins Oct. 31 with an exhibition for many different types of projects and all kinds of science the highlight of HSU’s efforts was a recognition, and his performance as a game against University of Arizona in majors. Researchers will be able to pinpoint which species grow Visit the California Consortium of Herbaria at 89-76 win over arch-rival Chico State in senior earned him first team selection and Tuscon, Ariz. For a full schedule, visit in specific locations and which plants they should expect to find ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium the CCAA Tournament Championship advancement to the All-America ballot. hsujacks.com. in differing habitats and elevation zones. They will be able to

4 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 5 Library Partners with Yale to Digitize [ News in Brief ] Local Historian’s Photographs Students, Faculty Create HUNDREDS OF MID-20TH century He also amassed the largest collection photographs collected by the late of images by A.W. Ericson, a regional Digital Archive for Lost university photographer Peter Palmquist photographer who documented Native (’65, Art) will soon be available online American culture and the Humboldt Language Notebooks for students, researchers and historians, County logging, fishing, and shipbuilding thanks to a partnership between the HSU industries between 1880 and 1930. NOTEBOOKS THAT COULD hold clues to understanding a nearly lost Native Library and Yale University’s Beinecke The photos will be scanned by the American language will be available to scholars in digital format thanks to the Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Beinecke and housed on the library’s work of students and faculty at HSU’s Cultural Resources Facility. The 700 images were taken by various website later this year. “This is a great The notebooks contain the work of Chinese linguist Li Fang-Kuei, Humboldt County photographers and partnership that meets the HSU Library’s who came to the North Coast from China by way of the University of document life in Northern California mission of increasing access to resources, Chicago where he earned a graduate degree in linguistics. Li was initially during the mid-1900s. while supporting scholarship worldwide,” investigating a lead that suggested aboriginal Thai languages shared The photos are part of the Beinecke’s Considered Humboldt County’s most says Library Dean Teresa Grenot. characteristics with Northern Californian Native American languages— Peter E. Palmquist Collection, an archive prolific researcher of historic photography, in this case the language of the Wailaki People, who are descendants of of hundreds of thousands of photographs, Palmquist’s research interests included the southernmost Athabaskan tribe of Southern Oregon and Northern manuscripts, books and daguerreotypes Humboldt County and Native American his- For more information on the collection, California. The lead turned out to be a dead end, but it didn’t prevent that Palmquist collected between 1971 tory; women in photography; the American visit library.humboldt.edu/humco/ Li from creating a valuable artifact for today’s scholars. and 2001. Palmquist died in 2003. West; photographic history and techniques. holdings/palmquist.htm “If we only had one chance to document the language, we’re very lucky it was Li,” says Victor Golla, professor of Anthropology and an expert on American Indian languages. “He allows us to understand the grammar and not simply vocabulary. That alone puts it heads and shoulders above other sources.” According to Golla, the language is basically extinct except for re-learners studying the language from notes. The digital archive being created will make these notes available to a new generation of researchers. The notebooks came to HSU through Golla’s professional connections and will eventually be transferred to a facility with extensive Native American collections. During the documents’ time in Arcata, students including Perry Lincoln and Brandy Hurtado are doing the careful work of transcribing and scanning Li’s documents. Hurtado’s ultimate goal is

to preserve the documents, while Lincoln’s aim is to secure revival. “My Image Submitted dream is to have a class teaching whatever we can find,” Lincoln says. TOP: Professor Victor Golla and students Nikki Martensen “Documents aren’t the language; they just document it,” Golla says. and Brandy Hurtado, foreground, pore over notebooks “But for American Indian languages in general, this collection is very containing remnants of the extinct Wailaki language. good. People could create a new use—a revitalization—of Wailaki from BOTTOM: The delicate, yellowed pages are stored these notebooks. And that is significant to people, because part of in pH neutral envelopes and handled with special reviving language is redefining who you really are.” gloves to protect the paper from skin oils. Fulkerson Hall Relights for Energy Savings

FULKERSON RECITAL HALL is cutting 85 percent of its saving 22,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity and displacing 5.4 electricity use with newly installed LED stage lights as a part of tons of carbon. It’s estimated the fixtures will save the university a student-designed project managed by the Humboldt Energy $3,500 a year. Independence Fund (HEIF). The 60-watt bulbs will also produce better light quality on With help from Plant Operations electrician Bill Clem, HEIF stage, says HEIF manager and graduate student Kirstin Hervin. graduate student intern Laudie Jamous designed the project, The existing 500-watt incandescent bulbs produce one dense

Palmquist/Yale Digital Collection, Humboldt State University Library University State Humboldt Collection, Digital Palmquist/Yale which includes some 30 dimmable LED stage lights. The new hot spot and a halo of light, whereas the LEDs will distribute light Peter Palmquist, the university’s photographer from 1961 to 1989, is considered Humboldt County's most prolific researcher of historic fixtures will dramatically reduce the recital hall’s energy use by more evenly, making it easier to read sheet music, she says. photography, amassing an enormous collection of photographs, manuscripts and daguerrotypes from 1971 to 2001. The Peter E. Palmquist Working Photograph Collection at HSU is searchable through the library's special collections website.

Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 7 News in Brief [ ] Humboldt State’s Homecoming & Family Weekend is just around the corner. Mark your calendar for Friday Oct. 19 and Saturday Oct. 20, and join Grad Student’s Book Humboldt State for all the fun! • Homecoming Game vs. Dixie State Welcomes Visitors October 19–21, 2012 • Tailgate Party & Foodtruck Festival to ‘Conifer Country’ humboldt.edu/homecoming • Faculty Lectures • Campus Events and More! MICHAEL KAUFFMAN, a Biology graduate student and lecturer at HSU, has published a guide to the trails and plant species of the Klamath Mountain region. The book, Connifer Country, available from Backcountry Press and at the HSU Natural History Museum, provides an in-depth guide to the biodiversity of the territory with special attention to the majestic conifers found there. “Conifers are often windswept and charis- matic,” Kauffman says. “I like to think of the mountain conifers as the crowning jewels of the Klamath.” The book contains 29 hiking trails spanning the Klamath Mountain region of Northern California and Southern Oregon. Each trail acts as a tour of the 35 ancient conifers that live in the area. As a bonus for Kauffman, the book also meets Submitted Images Submitted requirements for his Master’s degree. According to Kauffman, the project is an example of the kinds of work coming out of a new degree pathway in the Department of Biological Sciences. Osher Foundation Gives $500,000 Professor Jeffrey White, Kauffman’s advisor, says projects like this provide unique opportunities for students and the community. for Transfer Student Scholarships “I am very excited to be a part of this new option that trains and financially supports students in the art of communicating rigorous THE BERNARD OSHER Foundation has degree,” noted Mary Bitterman, The Foundation provides scholarship science to broad audiences,” says White. given a gift of $500,000 to Humboldt Foundation president. “We have been funding to colleges and universities across Kauffman, who also holds a teaching credential, is an educator who State University to create a scholarship grateful to Humboldt State University for the nation, with special attention to re-entry noticed in his students a lack of enthusiasm for the natural world. This program for transfer students. excellent stewardship of its Osher Lifelong students. It also supports a national lifelong awareness, coupled with his own love of backpacking, led him to write The gift establishes an endowment to Learning Institute, and we are confident learning network for seasoned adults, The the book. “I wanted to connect people to nature by helping them have award 10 $2,500 scholarships each year, that HSU’s administration of this new Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, and it a more authentic experience with it,” he says. “If you’re engaged with in perpetuity, to students from California endowment gift will benefit generations of benefits programs in integrative medicine the natural world, you’re going to care more about it.” community colleges. HSU’s first Osher students to come.” in the United States and Sweden. In Of the 29 hiking trails highlighted in Conifer Country, Kauffman Scholars will be selected for the 2013-14 This is the second major endowment at addition, the Foundation funds an array of says, the most popular is Canyon Creek. This demanding, 11-mile academic year. Humboldt State created by a gift from The performing arts organizations, museums round-trip hike near the town of Junction City, Calif., showcases 14 “This is an extraordinary commitment, Bernard Osher Foundation. The first was a and educational programs in the San different conifers. Among them is the rare Brewer spruce, which and we are so grateful,” said HSU President $1 million endowment for the Osher Lifelong Francisco Bay Area and in Osher’s native only exists in the Klamath region. Rollin Richmond. “We know there are many Learning Institute on campus. The HSU OLLI state of Maine. deserving students who need financial help program, one of 116 at universities nationwide, To be eligible for the new scholarships, so that they can complete their four-year offers classes for those 50 and over. students must transfer from a California Michael Kauffman presents the talk "Conifers of the Klamath degrees. This will make a real difference.” The Bernard Osher Foundation, community college and be entering, or Mountains," at the HSU Biodiversity Conference 2012, on Saturday, “Once the Foundation began its headquartered in San Francisco, was have entered, HSU at the junior level or Sept. 29. For more info, visit humboldt.edu/biodiversity endowed scholarship program for founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a above. They must also demonstrate both California’s community colleges, we respected businessman and community financial need and academic promise. Left: The Brewer spruce, featured in Michael Kauffman’s Conifer became ever more aware of the challenges leader. The Foundation seeks to improve Students will be able to apply for the Country only grows in the Klamath mountain region. facing students who wanted to continue quality of life through support for higher scholarship through the HSU Financial Aid their education and earn a baccalaureate education and the arts. Office’s website later in the fall semester. Submitted Photo

8 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 9 campus Gear Heads Cycling is on the Ascent at Humboldt State

WITH A GREAT showing this year at nationals and several victories in XX The cycling club is not just a team, but also a class with their home region, Humboldt State University’s Cycling Club is forging Journalism Professor Victoria Sama. Members receive two a reputation as one of the premier collegiate cycling clubs on the West credits and learn about administrative issues, organization, Coast. Last March, the team hosted the Humboldt State University training, dieting, preparation and bicycle maintenance. Road Race, pictured here, which featured a grueling criterium, team time trials and a 30-mile road race. HSU grabbed a second place XX Cycling is big on campus. Center Activities offers classes finish in the team time trials and rider Hayley Umayam stole the show, in bike maintenance and basic cycling skills for both road winning the campus criterium one day after winning the 30-mile road and mountain biking. The volunteers at the Bicycle Learning race in the Women’s B category. Center (located behind the Depot) offer free training to help students maintain their bikes. XX In April, the team secured its second consecutive Division II Western Collegiate Cycling Conference Championship in road racing. Team rider Luke Ramseth was also named the overall STAY CONNECTED: Get all the latest news from the team, Division II Conference Champion for the second year. Umayam by searching Humboldt State Cycling on Facebook.com or follow came in second and Traci Kroll third in the women’s overall the team’s blog at humboldtcycling.wordpress.com conference standing.

XX The club is just as competitive on a trail as on a road course. The team holds multiple NCCA Division II Mountain Bike Championships, plus the team has twice held the Division II National Down Hill title, once for women’s downhill and once for men’s. Rider Matt Schiff won an individual national championship title in cross-country in 2011.

Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 11 Humboldt State University 1968 A Period of Change: 1963–1987 Inaugural Humboldt Film In 1970, President Cornelius Festival is held. Currently, it’s Siemens and his wife Olga Humboldt magazine continues its look into the history of Humboldt State with this latest installment of our historical the longest-running student-led present the Maharishi Mahesh timeline. From 1963 to 1987 enrollment growth and an expanding campus marked this period of HSU history. festival of its kind. Yogi with a carved redwood bowl. The maharishi visited Humboldt State for a month- 1967 Students protest long teacher training course May 1963 U.S. incursion into Cambodia. attended by 1,400 followers. Humboldt State celebrates 50th anniversary. Adopts Greek motto: “Phos Aletheia” (Truth and Light) 1986 Aviary completed for 1972 Wildlife Department. Oct. 1964 Humboldt State College renamed Ronald Reagan visits campus during California State University, Humboldt. his campaign for governor. This doesn’t last long. By 1974 the school 1968 is known as Humboldt State University. Marching Lumberjacks return as campus scatter band after a 1979 10-year absence. Arsonists set fire to Forestry Building, which reopens in 1980.

1987 Wells Fargo donates its former building, which then becomes home to HSU’s Natural History Museum.

The College Union, built in 1971, and known The speaker's stump was a prominent today as University Center, feature on campus during the '60s. featured pod chairs, which were great places to grab a nap.

1966 Sources: “A View from the Hill” by former HSU History Professor William R. Tanner Marine laboratory opens in Trinidad. and “Humboldt State University: The Campus History Series” Lab is renamed the Telonicher by HSU alumna Katy M. Tahja (´70, Communication) Marine Lab in 1979. Photos and Memorabilia Courtesy of the HSU Library, Humboldt Room; University Advancement Yearbook Collection; Humboldt Alumni

12 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 13 With fewer than 250 yards to go in their final race, ‘15 St rokes’ the student-athletes of HSU’s Rowing Team Rowing Team Stays Focused, Wins First-Ever National Title proved they had what it took to win the national title. Jarad Petroske

Photos Courtesy of Erik Dresser/row2k.com Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 15 “When Harris said ‘15 strokes,’ a weird power just came out and I knew I was going to pull with all I had.” —Rower Jacki McPherson Building Momentum SHORTLY BEFORE THE home victory, the team ranked third in the NCAA Division II, behind only Mercyhurst College and Western Washington University. It was clear to Humboldt’s rowers that they were in contention for the top slot at the nationals as the countdown to May continued on Hyland’s whiteboard. The whole season turned into a build-up toward nationals. The coaching staff reworked the weight-training program. The coaches kept after the rowers to stay fit and fed—Coach Meiggs plied the rowers with offers of a fruit stand in her office and untold numbers of granola bars. “We really did visualize victory all season,” says Harris. “Fitness played a major role.” As the season rolled on, the team continued to rack up vic- tories: a conference title at the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Championship Regatta in mid April; two gold medals at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association regatta a week later. In truth, the momentum had been building for the title since the team’s second place finish in the nationals several years back. “We have a silver trophy from 2004, but I always told (assistant Photos Courtesy of Erik Dresser/row2k.com Erik of Courtesy Photos coach) Pat Hyland I wanted a gold one,” said Meiggs. “Ultimately Rowers in the Varsity 8 boat celebrate their victory over Western Washington University in the 2012 NCAA Division II championship race. those trophies will collect dust, but it’s the experience that will stay with the team the rest of their lives.” BY THE TIME coxswain Katie Harris called the last stroke in After the team’s laudable finish in 2011, one rower wrote Assistant Sports Information Director Sammi Sheppard contributed this year’s national championship event, HSU’s Varsity 8 (V8+) “365 days to Nationals” on a whiteboard in assistant coach reporting for this article. Rowing head coach Robin Meiggs has been named the Collegiate rowers knew that victory was in hand. “There was no way we Pat Hyland’s office. The board was updated daily to remind Rowing Association's Coach of the Year for two consecutive years. were going to get second. It just wasn’t going to happen,” recalls the teammates why they woke at 4:30 a.m. to meet at the During practice on Humboldt Bay, Meiggs communicates with her rower Chyna Balonick. Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center’s boat house and train alongside Follow the 2012-13 Rowing Season at HSUjacks.com rowers with a megaphone from a small motor boat, called a launch. In the final 15 strokes of the race against seven-time defending fishing boats and harbor seals. champions Western Washington University, Harris called for a If you’re lucky enough to be on the water during practice, it’s sprint. The call came a few strokes ahead of where the team had easy to see why these rowers are among the best in the nation. plotted its move leading up to the race, but thanks to a season It begins with discipline. The significance with which rowers of rigorous training, the rowers were ready for the pounce. regard their sport is palpable in their every movement: from “When Harris said ‘15 strokes,’ a weird power just came out hoisting the 200-pound streamlined boats delicately into the Quick Look: Rowing at HSU and I knew I was going to pull with all I had,” says Jacki McPherson. water from the dock, to the 17 hours of practice they record The rest is history. The team crushed Western Washington in each week of the season. the last 250 meters and won the national title outright. Beyond the dedication, there’s their sheer power. The com- THE 2012 RACING SEASON marked the 18th intercollegiate season for the “To see the actualization of that dream was really exciting,” bined strength of the rowers in the V8+ boat is enough to women’s rowing team. The team was founded in 1994 when HSU expanded head coach Robin Meiggs said. “I really felt they would do it propel the craft at nearly 10 knots, or about 11.5 miles per its offerings for female athletes. Coach Robin Meiggs has guided the transition this year. It was the calmest I’ve ever been in my coaching hour—which is no small feat. from a competitive club sport, to a nationally ranked NCAA Division II team. career. I’m so proud of them.” “During a full sprint, it’s not uncommon for rowers’ heart The next day the team was back in Arcata for a winner’s recep- rates to reach 187 to 192, which is very close to maximum • In 2010, the team won the Western Intercollegiate tion and a few days later, Meiggs earned her second consecutive effort,” says Meiggs. The rowers, who number either four or Rowing Association (WIRA) Championship. HSU was Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors. eight (plus a non-rowing coxswain) in varsity and novice boats, the first Division II team to win the tournament, which must find the perfect rhythm to exploit that power and convert had traditionally been won by Division I schools. it to forward momentum. It’s all about synchronicity and 365 Days Until Nationals • In 2004 the team’s Varsity 4 boat won an NCAA perfecting every motion. “It’s the ultimate team sport and we National Title, and the team finished second overall THAT’S HOW THE rowers remember the end of the season, practice a lot in order to find the perfect match for each boat,” in the points standing. the final triumph at the 2012 National Collegiate Athletic explains assistant coach Adrienne McConnell. Association Div. II Rowing Championships. But the story of When it comes to competition, nearly all meets take place • HSU also hosts a men’s crew team, which operates as a club sport. how the team went from a third place finish in 2011 to the away from home. In fact, the team hosts just one home regatta, Founded in 1975, the club currently fields about 25 rowers. The team best team in its national division began in the dark autumn the Dual of the Bay, which this year it handily won over Mills took home a gold medal for a Novice Lightweight 4 boat at the mornings on the waters of Humboldt Bay. College in March. 2010 WIRA championships.

Photos Courtesy of Erik Dresser/row2k.com 16 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 HOW HSU RESEARCHERS ARE CHANGING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF CONCUSSIONS

Arianne Aryanpur and Desiree Perez

Researchers at Humboldt State are adding to a growing body of scientific knowledge about the nature of concussions. Are mild traumatic brain injuries something athletes can shake off or is there something more to them?

18 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 for many athletes, it can seem nothing is After a head injury, an athlete is sent to the concus- worse than a career-ending injury. Bone fractures or torn sion program for a follow-up evaluation. The ImPACT test ligaments can hamper a promising athletic career, but what is administered again, and the results are compared to about injuries that aren’t immediately manifest when they the baseline. occur? With the case of concussions, many athletes are able The test helped Katelyn Smith (’13, Kinesiology) deter- to walk away and even try to play the next day. But what mine when to return to the rugby field after sustaining a about the long-term effects on their brain’s ability to think mild concussion last year. Although rugby is a contact sport, and process information? players aren’t required to wear helmets. There is a growing concern in athletics at all levels about After a hard tackle, Smith began experiencing confusion concussions. Athletes, coaches and parents are all trying to and sensitivity to light. She took the ImPACT test and it better understand the short- and long-term effects, and indicated a mild brain injury. She wasn’t cleared to jog at the North Coast Concussion Program and a faculty mem- first, but then slowly, she was able to return to play. ber in the Department of Students who resume Kinesiology are adding to activity too soon run a growing body of research. the risk of permanent So what exactly is a con- damage. Second-impact cussion? Scientists define it syndrome (SIS) is a deadly as a mild traumatic brain condition in which an injury caused by a blow or athlete suffers a second, bump to the head or body often mild hit before and, according to the federal symptoms of her first con- Centers for Disease Control cussion have subsided. The and Prevention, they’re not subsequent trauma leads exactly uncommon. Some to rapid brain swelling 3.8 million sports- and rec- and in most cases death, reation-related concussions Larson says. are reported each year. SIS cases helped With recent high-profile pass AB 25 last year, a suicides in the NFL poten- youth concussion law in TOP: Beth Larson throws a soccer ball to former HSU tially stemming from the long-term effects, athletic officials California mandating that student-athletes suspected of soccer player Tamlyn Tsubota. LEFT: Self-reported and universities are bringing a new focus to understanding suffering from a concussion be removed from play and headers score significantly worse on cognitive tests, these injuries. Just this June, the NCAA announced it is receive a health care evaluation before returning to play, according to Larson’s research. joining forces with schools in the Ivy League and the Big Larson says. 10 to try to understand how concussions are affecting This year, Larson and her team began offering ImPACT student-athletes. testing to students in the Humboldt Del Norte High School The North Coast Concussion Program is located in a Sport League, which includes 11 area campuses. small lab tucked in the Kinesiology & Athletics Building. The A recent session at Ferndale High School, not far from program welcomes student-athletes and community members Arcata, attracted about a dozen athletes and their parents. to take part in a 20-minute test to determine their baseline Dannielle Petersen, who brought her daughter Abbigail—a cognitive state. Since 2008, more than 3,000 athletes have soccer player—said she was grateful for the service. participated. The program stems from alumna Beth Larson’s “How else are you going to know how bad a concussion is? (’10, M.S. Kinesiology) graduate research and builds on the I don’t want an untreated head injury to affect my daughter research of HSU faculty member, Justus Ortega. for the rest of her life,” she said. Larson, who is also a lecturer in the Kinesiology Part of Larson’s work involves educating parents about department, gives all HSU student-athletes an immediate just that. The idea is to inform family members about the post-concussion assessment and cognitive test (or ImPACT preventative benefits of baseline testing. “It’s kind of like test) during the pre-season. The computerized test is a wearing a seat belt,” Larson says. “Why wouldn’t you do it?” standard from middle school to professional sports. It is Of course, educating parents and working with athletes used to evaluate thinking and reasoning ability, including who obviously had a concussive event are one thing. Larson’s attention span, reaction time and memory. graduate research also probed the effects of mild head These baseline data are used to determine how an athlete impacts, or subconcussive events—like the kind of bumps functions normally and compare that to post-concussion the noggin takes when heading a soccer ball. performance. Students, faculty, staff and community mem- Larson found that players who self-reported as headers bers are also invited to use the program’s services if they scored significantly worse on cognitive tests given pre-and suffer a concussion. post-season, while those who self-reported as non-headers

20 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 scored as well, if not slightly better than, their initial test. movement. Essentially, the police are looking at a person’s WHAT ARE THE Headers were also found to score significantly worse in the ability to perform a physical task that requires balance, area of visual memory. While no definitive links between while also doing a mental task. “A drunk person basically sub-concussive blows and long-term cognitive impairment can’t multitask,” Ortega says. have been made, establishing a strong baseline dataset is The impairments that he noticed are called lateral instabili- essential to pushing the research forward. ties, and they—along with cognitive performance—are what What Larson really wants to know is what a pre-and post- Ortega has dubbed the “HSU Johnny Cash test.” In the test, a concussed brain looks like in a range of people, from hardcore person suspected to have a concussion has to “walk the line.” athlete to regular Joe. Her work also adds to the studies of At the same time, he or she is given neurocognitive tests, another HSU researcher, Kinesiology Professor Justus Ortega. such as counting down in increments of three and memory In 2010 Ortega and former HSU Professor Anthony tasks. Each time a subject falters from the line, he or she Kontos co-wrote a chapter in “The Handbook of Sports gets an error added to the score. The hypothesis is that a Neuropathology.” Their collaboration covered the effects of person suffering from a concussion will register many more concussion on mental function and balance while a person errors walking the line than he or she would if uninjured. While no two athletes respond to a concussion in the same way, is standing or walking. Currently, Ortega is working with the Department of it’s important to know the common signs of a traumatic brain injury. During his research, Ortega noticed that he had seen Defense on a grant proposal to expand his research. As a similar behavior from impaired people taking police field researcher who has worked with the National Institutes of OBSERVED SYMPTOMS REPORTED SYMPTOMS sobriety tests, which include standing on one leg, walking Health to probe the effects of aging on walking performance, • Dazed or stunned a line and turning around, and checking for erratic eye Ortega’s work could have broad and wide-ranging impacts. • Headache • Unsure of game, score, • Nausea, vomiting or opponent • Balance problems, dizziness • Moving clumsily • Double or blurry vision • Answering questions slowly At Ferndale High School, student- • Sensitivity to light • Losing consciousness athletes conduct a computer-based (even temporarily) • Sensitivity to noise cognitive test, which measures factors like attention span, reaction • Behavior or personality change • Feeling sluggish or groggy time and memory. • Forgetting events prior to • Concentration or the incident memory problems • Forgetting events after incident • Confusion

According to Humboldt State researcher Beth Larson (‘10, Kinesiology), athletes should not resume activity until their symptoms have cleared, their results from the immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive test (or ImPACT test) have been returned and they’ve been cleared by a health care professional.

SAMPLE COGNITIVE TEST

1 2 3

First, a screen with about 30 Xs and Then, a speed test, in which the “Q” Lastly, the original Xs and Os reappear Os appears. Three random letters button is hit as quickly as possible and the test taker has to recall which are yellow and the rest are black. when a red circle appears and a “P” ones were yellow by clicking on them. button when a blue square appears.

Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 23 HSU’s trailblazing mycologist Terry Henkel and students hack their way through South American jungles to uncover the secrets of tropical fungi

Arianne Aryanpur Photos Courtesy of Terry Henkel, Jessie Uehling and Arthur Grupe

ORANGE MUSHROOM FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Various sizes of Amanita calochroa, a species discovered by Henkel unique to the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana.

224 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 he rain had just started to clear by the time Terry A Mushroom Hunter’s Paradise Henkel and his expedition crested the 6,000- LOCATED IN NORTHEASTERN South America, Guyana tfoot summit of Mt. Ayanganna in Guyana, South is home to thousands of unique plants and animals. It America. They’d spent the past few days using machetes remained virtually unexplored until the 1980s, when the and climbing rope to traverse the country’s dense bush, Smithsonian Institution launched the Biological Diversity and were now surrounded by the surreal vegetation of of the Guiana Shield Program, designed to document the the elfin cloud forest. region’s diverse flora and fauna. Henkel worked on the On the other side of the peak lay a tropical rainfor- program for two years before securing grants to fund his est: a mushroom hunter’s paradise. But as Henkel led his own expeditions through the National Geographic Society, team in single file down the mountain, something caught the National Science Foundation, and other organizations. his eye. Up ahead, illuminated in a beam of sunlight was Since becoming a faculty member in HSU’s Department a swarm of marabunta wasps—a species so aggressive of Biological Sciences in 2002, Henkel’s research has they’re nicknamed focused on ectomycor- “horse killers.” rhizae (ECM), a plant “When you see symbiosis that forms a jaguar, you don’t underground networks move, but stare of “hyphae” around the it down,” Henkel roots of certain trees. says. “But with the ECMs are important marabunta, you run because they have a as fast as you can in unique capacity to help the other direction. plants absorb vital Unfortunately, in nutrients from the soil. this case we had to They’re also particularly run straight down a important in the study steep, slippery moun- of forest ecology and tain slope.” biodiversity in the It may sound like South American trop- something out of an ics. Says Henkel: “Much episode of Survivor, of my early research in but for Henkel—an Guyana involved unrav- HSU mycology pro- eling the role of ECMs fessor and leading in promoting forest expert on tropical dominance by individ- mushrooms—it’s all in ual ECM tree species, a day’s work. For the a rare phenomenon in past 20 years, Henkel the tropics.” has led students and colleagues on mushroom hunting Henkel estimates that over 70 percent of the mushrooms expeditions to the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana, one of his team collects are new to science. So far, they’ve formally the most biodiverse and poorly-studied regions of named nearly 100 new species, but he says that hundreds the world. more await the detailed study necessary to bring them Over the course of his career, he’s made significant to publication. contributions to the field of tropical biodiversity and Among the most memorable? Boletellus piakaii, a species rainforest ecology, and discovered many new species of that Henkel named after his son, Piakai, who discovered fungi. Earlier this year, he was named HSU Scholar of the the original specimen of the mushroom. There’s also Year by President Rollin Richmond. Amanita cyanopus, known colloquially as “Henkel’s Blue Foot “His research has helped shape our understanding of Amanita.” The fungus’ defin- tropical forests and led to many new lines of research ing characteristics include a FACING PAGE: Mt. Ayanganna inquiry on tropical forest mycology,” writes Kabir Peay, rich blue color and strong expedition, June 2012. Team a professor at Stanford University in a nomination letter chlorine odor. members (front to back) for the award. One of Henkel’s recent Shawnee Gowan (HSU Botany), Adds Forestry Professor Steve Sillett: “Here’s tropical discoveries was a new genus Jessie Uehling (MSc. ´12 mycology at its finest and most adventurous, exploring of truffle fungus. It is a wood- Mycology), David Clark (UNC- uncharted terrain in remote tropical rainforests and decaying fungus unique to Ashville, botanist), and Dan unearthing amazing secrets.” Guyana that has a bulbous, Thompson (BSc. ´12 Botany).

26 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 wart-like exterior and gelatinized pink center, with spores apparently dispersed by termites. Henkel and his colleagues named it Guyanagaster necrorhiza, which THE FUNGI OF SOUTH AMERICA’S GUIANA SHIELD roughly translates to “stomach fungus from Guyana that kills roots.” “It’s great fun picking these names,” HUMBOLDT STATE One of the most biodiverse and poorly studied regions of the world, Henkel says. the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana are home to thousands of unique plant One of the most rewarding parts of these endeavors and animal species. Here are some of the mushrooms Henkel is being on the biodiversity frontier, Henkel says. “Most San Francisco of these tropical forests haven’t been explored for fungi, and his students have discovered there. so putting these species on the map is a big motivator. For me, it’s a great way to combine science with hard core adventure.” Guyanagaster genus From Field Collection to Publication This new genus of wood-decaying HENKEL HAS INVOLVED numerous students—both from truffle fungus has a bulbous, wart-like HSU and Guyana—in his research. Several have gone on Houston exterior and gelatinized pink center, to prestigious Ph.D. programs, including at his alma mater After leaving Arcata, it takes Henkel and his with spores apparently dispersed by Duke University. One of the most recent, Jessie Uehling (’12, US team up to two full weeks before they’re termites. Henkel and his colleagues Mycology), will begin her doctoral studies there this fall. picking mushrooms in the jungle of Guyana. named it Guyanagaster necrorhiza, Uehling’s master’s thesis grew out of her four field expe- ditions to Guyana. She focused on identifying new species A sample travel itinerary: which roughly translates to “stomach in the genus Clavulina. Her discovery of the new species • Domestic Air Travel: Fly from Arcata fungus from Guyana that kills roots.” Clavulina cerebriformis was the subject of a paper published to San Francisco, hop on a red eye flight in the scientific journal “Mycologia” in June, and was one of to Houston. Trinidad four such articles she published while at HSU. Boletellus piakaii Since 2002, Henkel has published more than 50 peer- • International Air Travel: Catch another flight Boletellus piakaii is a species that reviewed articles, nearly half co-authored by HSU graduate to Trinidad and Tobago; take another red eye GUYANA o flight t Georgetown, the capital of Guyana; Henkel named after his son, Piakai, or undergraduate students. To put this in perspective, it who discovered the original specimen takes an average of one year to publish a taxonomy paper clear immigration and customs. in the forests of Guyana. after collecting a new mushroom. • Load equipment and passengers on a nine-seater “The taxonomic process runs the gamut from field col- Islander aircraft into the jungle. lection, description, and preservation, and getting out of Guiana Shield the field with specimens intact,” says Henkel. “Then, back • Carry supplies for 1–10 days into the jungle. Amanita cyanopus in the lab, many hours of microscopic and DNA analysis, • Set up base camp. Known colloquially as “Henkel’s Blue and comparisons with herbarium specimens from around Foot Amanita,” this fungus’ defining • Begin field research. the world—all this to figure out if you have a new species. characteristics include a rich blue If so, then drafting of the manuscript is the next step,” color and strong chlorine odor. he says. “I have several lifetimes of work residing in my herbarium cabinets.” Collecting the mushroom is just one step in a long process. After a day of collecting, Henkel and his team return to Clavulina cerebriformis their rustic camp to sort the fungi into species. Each spe- Graduate student Jessie Uehling’s (MSc. cies is first given a number, then a detailed description in a ’12, Mycology) master’s thesis focused field notebook. The collection is photographed, and a small on identifying new species in the genus amount of tissue is extracted for subsequent DNA analysis. Clavulina. Her discovery of the new species The collection is then dried with silica gel dessicant, which Clavulina cerebriformis was the subject of leads to a perfectly preserved specimen for further laboratory study. “To accomplish this under the torrential downpour a paper published in the scientific journal conditions of the Guyana rainy season is challenging, but “Mycologia” in June, and was one of four we get it done,” Henkel says. such articles she published while at HSU. Along with morphological analysis, identification of mush- rooms involves obtaining DNA sequences from the fruiting bodies and, in some cases, the ectomycorrhizal roots them- Henkel and his students assign each mushroom selves. DNA sequence data for new species is routinely added species a number, then write a detailed description Photos Courtesy of tropicalfungi.org to GenBank, an online sequence database administered by in a field notebook.

28 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 29 the National Center for Biotechnology Information through the National Institutes of Health. One of Henkel’s goals is to make that information available to researchers worldwide through his website, tropicalfungi.org. The site also contains information about what it’s like to conduct research in Guyana. ‘Engaging Wilderness on Its Own Terms’ OUTSIDE OF COLLECTING data and processing specimens, a lot of time is spent getting from one camp to another, Henkel says. That involves transporting heavy loads of provisions, hiking, paddling canoes and cutting trails through the forest. Since expeditions typically take place during the rainy season, very wet conditions prevail. LEFT: Working on specimens in the bush camp “I tell participants, this is a great opportunity for field (left to right) Francino Edmond (Patamona), research, but not if you’re going to get homesick during six- Cathie Aime (mycologist, Purdue University), weeks in the bush,” Henkel says. “You have to be seasoned in Piakai Henkel, Gwen Williams (Ph.D. student, the backcountry, have a high threshold for physical discomfort, Duke University) BELOW: Henkel leads and be ready to engage the wilderness on its own terms.” a workshop for Guyanese students. From stinging caterpillars to swarming wasps, the sur- prises are endless. “We’ve had floodwaters fill our camps, leaf FACING PAGE TOP: Henkel holds up a cutting ants steal our rice, and baby sloths fall out of trees Clavulina craterelloides, an unusual Guyana onto people in the depths of the forest,” he says. “The list of mushroom BOTTOM: Dugout canoes are a the scary and sublime is long, but with time, you see it all.” common mode of transportation in the bush. Critical for success is having local guides. Over the years, Henkel has developed a close relationship with the Patamona Amerindians, the indigenous people of the central Pakaraima Mountains. In addition to navigating the obstacles of the bush, they serve as parataxonomists, helping to collect mushroom and plant specimens as well as setting up study plots and measuring and identify trees. Many have been working with him since the early ’90s. “The Patamona have inhabited the forests of the Pakaraimas for centuries, so whether it’s surviving on wild forest foods or finding the best route through the jungle, they know an immense amount about how to live in this land,” Henkel says. “We wouldn’t get to first base without them.” In return, he shares his scientific knowledge with them. Henkel conducts biodiversity workshops in Guyana for commu- nity members, local students, and forest rangers. The goal, he says, is to help train a generation of Guyanese conservationists. Conservation isn’t a priority issue yet in Guyana since the country has remained isolated and undisturbed for many years. But Henkel thinks that will change. “We’re talking about one of the most intact, biologically diverse tropical regions in the world,” Henkel says. “One day we’ll need a core group of people who are educated in biodi- versity, who can inform the planners and help the country establish and manage a system of parks and reserves.” He adds: “Its gratifying that we’re able to study mushrooms, but also contribute to the larger picture of nature conservation in this unique part of the world.”

Professor Terry Henkel presents at the HSU Biodiversity Conference 2012, on Saturday, Sept. 29. For more info, visit humboldt.edu/biodiversity

30 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 31 [ First Person ] and luxury; gender changes in cultural and sexuality; and norms regarding gen- scholarly sociability der and sexuality at A Long Time Ago, in a Place Far, Far Away: and discourse. the time. For exam- First, the 18th ple, the 18th century Studying Different Times and Places century is generally saw the “great mas- regarded as the “age culine renunciation.” Professor Benjamin Marschke, Ph.D. of absolutism,” but Throughout history during this period it is typically the ideas about gov- males (whether AGAIN AND AGAIN people in Revolution (approximately 1500-1800). More narrowly, ernment changed humans or animals) Europe ask me: “How does somebody I have focused my research on 18th-century Germany, dramatically. In the who are adorned with in California become interested in especially Prussia. What’s Prussia? Prussia was the small earlier “baroque” bright colors and/or studying European history?” Or country in northern Germany, which became a major power model of absolute flamboyant ornamen- they ask the inverse question: under Frederick the Great in the 18th century and ultimately monarchy, the ruler tation. This changed “What does somebody who works on united Germany under Bismarck in the 19th century. legitimized his (or in Europe in the 18th European history do at a university in So, who cares about what happened such a long time her) rule by appear- century, when men California?” Of course my answer is ago in a place so far away? As it turns out, most of us, ing magnificent and began to renounce that European history is interesting, whether we realize it or not, are very interested in issues being at the center King Louis XIV of France, left, was a monarch with grandiose style, while King Frederick flashy appearance. regardless of where one is located, from the 18th century. To name just a few: government of ornate ceremo- the Great of Prussia embodied a more subdued manner. Increasingly, men’s and that Californians need (and want!) to study European spending, consumerism, gender roles, and higher educa- nies. By the turn of fashions were marked history, too. tion. These were key issues in the 1700s, just as they are the 18th century, this model was gradually falling into by somber colors, simpler clothes, and less ostentatious hair My research field is the history of early modern Europe, today. They connect with four areas of my current research disfavor. Flashy demonstrations of rule by monarchs such styles (or wigs), and it was increasingly seen as frivolous and vain that is, Europe from the Renaissance to the French project: 18th-century political culture and symbology; money as King Louis XIV of France (pictured) were increasingly (i.e., “womanly”) to pay too much attention to one’s appearance. seen as unimpressive, or even ridiculous. Instead, monarchs We can easily recognize that these conceptions of masculinity like the kings of Prussia emphasized their competence to and femininity, which were established in the 18th century, rule by presenting an image of themselves as thrifty, even still influence how we think today. miserly—they dressed in unadorned military uniforms and The new ideas in the 18th century regarding government publicly eschewed many of the ostentatious ceremonies con- and politics, regarding money and luxury, and regarding the nected with kingship (see the portrait here of the Prussian roles of men and women in society were discussed as part king, Frederick the Great). In turn, the public’s expectation of the Enlightenment. During the Enlightenment people shifted. They did not expect that their ruler should appear introduced and accepted new ways of arguing. Rather than resplendent so much as they expected that he should manage tradition or the social rank of the person arguing, a new the government well, especially its finances. emphasis was laid on rationality and transparency and open The new expectation that a government should spend sociability. Moreover, people adopted new venues in which tax money carefully and not run up large debts was related to argue, such as scholarly academies and journals, as well as to a more general interest in money and luxury in the 18th popular periodicals, coffee houses, and clubs. Scholars were century. This was the age of the “consumer revolution” in increasingly expected to teach “practical knowledge,” rather Europe, when for the first time common people began than traditional subjects that seemed to have no real-world consuming goods from around the world on a day-to-day applicability. (This will sound familiar to anyone following basis—just think of tea, coffee, sugar and tobacco. The the 21st-century debates regarding higher education). As consumption of these goods, and the expensive foreign- entire fields of study were denounced as invalid, scholarly made porcelain and silver paraphernalia typically used to debates became especially vociferous and polemic—vulgar consume them, became quite common. At the same time, satires, vicious personal insults, and even violent assaults changes in fashion accelerated in the 18th century, so that became common (and still make for titillating reading clothes and accessories were quickly discarded and replaced. today). The Enlightenment thereby re-established not only This consumer revolution brought forth new criticisms of what people argued about, but also how they argued and “conspicuous consumption” and heated debates about what even the forums in which they argued. was “luxury” and what was “necessary” and whether or In short, we still grapple with 18th-century issues in the not the consumption of foreign luxury goods was good for 21st century: government efficiency, consumerism, gender public morality and/or the economy. These debates about roles, and education. So, the study of what happened a long consumerism seem eerily similar to the debates raging today. time ago in a place far, far away is vital because it is the Of course, it was women who were most sharply criticized only way to understand the here and now. If we don’t know istock.com for spending too much money on superfluous consumer goods what happened before, then we can’t really know what is Among the Germanic countries seen in this map depicting Europe in 1700, Prussia and its king, Frederick the Great, began the process of in the 18th century, and this was just one aspect of the rapid happening today. unification of Germany that culminated in the 19th century.

32 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 33 In Debut Feature Film, Alum James, the main character, decides as part of their education and film to abandon his law career to pursue major Brittany White earned an offi- his lifelong dream of acting. After cial credit as a wardrobe assistant for Leverages Humboldt Connections experiencing trials and disillusion- her contributions. ment, he spontaneously travels to While her crew traveled to Spain where he has a chance encoun- Barcelona and Los Angeles for film- ter with the author of his favorite ing, the movie was also shot on site play, “Tinto de Verano,” and the plot in Arcata and Eureka. Three days of unfolds from there. filming took place on the Humboldt In a way, James’ life has connec- State campus, but a majority of the tions to Matteoli’s own experiences. local scenes were captured in Eureka’s From a young age, she expressed an Old Town. “Maria tried to keep it interest in film and directing. “There’s as local as possible,” says Karina literally a home video of me when I Estrada, an executive producer was 4, directing my family, saying who helped to fund the film. “So ‘Dad, hold this pillow here,’” she says. many local businesses supported us “In first grade, my teacher told my throughout the process, and we got mom I would be a director.” to put that support right back into Despite her natural gravitation the community.” to the art, Matteoli didn’t immedi- The hometown connection was a ately work to make film her career. unique experience for many of the In her early 20s, she was considering film’s cast, including Peck. “It warms a career as a lawyer until a cousin my heart to work on a project with so encouraged her to follow her passion. many ties to the local community,” he At first, Matteoli pursued a career in says. “The film is a story about per- acting, but later discovered her true sonal interactions, and so it was really love lay in creating films. After living special to get to know the crew within in Switzerland, Italy and Southern the context of their lives. To meet California, the seventh-generation families and friends and be included Humboldt native returned to the area in Humboldt was so fulfilling.” to pursue her education in film pro- Also unique to “The Wine of duction. She completed the three-year Summer,” was the woman-power it program in a year and a half. packed. As a female and first-time Since earning her film degree, director, Matteoli struggled to be taken Matteoli has written, directed and pro- seriously. So it was important—and duced close to 50 short films. Her work empowering—for her to bring strong includes pieces for the Humboldt Made women into her production. “This truly Filmmaker Maria Matteoli (‘04, Film Production) directs actors Kelsey Chow and Ethan Peck on series, “Love, Humboldt,” which high- is a female-driven film,” Estrada says. the set of “The Wine of Summer” in Eureka’s Old Town. lights the people, places and products “It’s written, directed, produced and that make Humboldt County unique. funded entirely by women. I’m proud At $1.3 million, “Wine” is her biggest, to have that representation.” IN THE SPRING, filmmaker Maria Matteoli (’04, Film Production) gave a standing- most ambitious project yet. Despite its By coming in on-time and under room-only Humboldt audience a sneak peek at her first feature-length film, “The big-budget feel, however, the produc- TOP: Movie still courtesy of "The Wine of Summer." budget, Matteoli’s first feature-film Wine of Summer.” Although it has yet to be released, the production has already tion itself was locally driven. MIDDLE: Poster from the movie. BOTTOM: A experience proves she has the where- generated a lot of buzz within the community and beyond. The story begins, Behind the scenes, eight Humboldt number of HSU alums worked on the movie, withal to be a successful player in the when, at 20 years old, Matteoli took her first trip to Spain. As she sat and sipped State alumni contributed to the mak- including (center) Andy Rydzewski (’06), Associate film industry. Despite taking only her wine, tinto de verano, she was stirred by the romance of summer, of youth ing of “Wine,” including Director of Producer and Director of Photography. three weekends to write, “Wine” is the and by a sense of beauty and nostalgia. “I wrote a little note to myself that I was Photography and Associate Producer culmination—fermentation, even—of going to make a film that captured those emotions,” she said. Andy Rydzewski (’06, MFA Film Production). Former a lifetime of experiences. “When I sat down to write, I told “The Wine of Summer,” written and directed by Matteoli, tells a story of love Theatre Film & Dance professor Jody Sekas and four of myself I had to make this movie this year,” she says. “And and longing in the intersecting lives of her characters, including James, who is his students also worked on the film. “It’s the best film I’m not going to stop.” portrayed by Ethan Peck, grandson of iconic actor Gregory Peck. The cast of script I’ve had the pleasure to work on,” Sekas says. Most of Matteoli has entered “The Wine of Summer,” in a dozen “Wine” also includes Academy Award-winner Marcia Gay Harden. Sekas’ students were glad to have the production experience film festivals throughout the country and internationally.

34 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 35 Jeffrey Levine: Submit a class note: humboldt.edu/classnotes Career Diplomat Gets or email: [email protected] Estonian Ambassadorship Class Notes

JEFF LEVINE (’76, Journalism) has been named the next U.S. Ambassador to Estonia by President Barack Obama. chainsaw skills to natives working on the several months, Stebbins returned to the world Levine and has wife, Janie, will begin their cleanup. Jensen says it was an amazing of public education as principal of Greenville three-year tour in the Estonian capital of 1950s experience that he will not soon forget. and Taylorsville Elementary Schools. He enjoys Tallinn later this September. As ambassador, LEWIS (LEW) SBRANA, 1956 Music his “born again” role as principal and Maureen he will lead the embassy and represent the Education, continues to direct the New also volunteers at the schools many days a United States. Horizons Band of Sonoma County, a unique week. “We love working together and keeping A career foreign service officer, Levine concert band for seniors only. He founded 1970s active … this is not a forever career move, said he’s looking forward to living in Estonia. the band in 1999 and has seen it grow JOHN M. ALCALA, 1970 History, earned but it sure keeps us young.” The couple also “It’s one of the most successful post-Soviet, from 12 to the present 65 members. He his teaching credential a year after graduating enjoys meeting the many HSU alumni working post-Warsaw Pact states and a pioneer says making music is a wonderful outlet from Humboldt State University, then started with the agencies in Northern California. in e-governance, telecommunications and for retired folk, and is outstanding for brain his teaching career at Delano High School Internet freedom.” stimulation and helping to keep fit. Sbrana in Delano, Calif., immediately following. He RONALD J. WOYCHAK, 1974 Wildlife Growing up in the Bay Area, Levine never says it is a rewarding position in a positive taught history and developed the school’s Management, retired after 34 years with considered a career as a diplomat. and encouraging social environment. Mock Trial program, and eventually became the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land He was the first person in his family to department chairman. Alcala retired in Management. He spent the bulk of his attend college. And when he visited Humboldt 2008 after 38 years in education. career in fire and resource management, State, he fell in love. incident management teams and two “It was beautiful and just far enough away 1960s RONALD D. MELIN, 1971 Geography, retired deployments to Australia to provide U.S. from home,” he says, adding jokingly. “I also FERNANDO R. ELIZONDO, 1967 Education, from teaching, but is still working parttime for assistance during fire siege in 2009/2010. had a natural prejudice against Southern retired from being a California superintendent the city of Torrance, Calif., doing restoration California, being from the Bay Area.” of schools. He recently completed a yearlong on Madrona Marsh. He recently backpacked DOUGLAS J. GALATI, 1975 Psychology, Levine majored in journalism at HSU and term as foreperson of the 2011 Monterey with friends and fellow HSU alumni Brent says, “You can take the man out of the after graduating, worked as a reporter for County Civil Grand Jury. Fernando is also McGhie, Frankie Watts, Wayne Stanfield and redwoods, but you can’t take the redwoods out seven years at various newspapers, including President and CEO of his own company, Richard Morris in the Russian wilderness in of the man.” Galati is retired from a Southern USA Today. Elizondo Education Strategies, Inc. July to check out the 17 species of conifers California gas company and enjoys the leisure “Humboldt definitely gave me a solid that were observed by Professor Sawyer. time surfing the waves of Carpinteria, Calif. foundation in reporting that helped me get my TIMOTHY H. PROVAN, 1968 Wildlife, first job,” he says. moved to Utah after graduation and completed TIMOTHY (TIM) A. PENDER, 1971 DANIEL E. SEALY, 1975 Natural Resources After several years in journalism, Levine his Master of Science in Wildlife Sciences at Wildlife Management, has enjoyed five Planning & Interpretation, worked at both decided to join the Foreign Service in 1985. Utah State. He worked 30 years for the Utah years of retirement after working for 32 years Middle Tennessee State University and “I wanted to travel and interact with differ- Division of Wildlife Resources, and became as a wildlife manager with the Arizona Fish Pennsylvania State University for eight years. ent cultures,” he says of the career switch. director in 1989. He then moved to Redding, and Game Department. He is now able to After his career in academia, he took a position In the years since, Levine’s job has taken Calif., where he worked seven years for Ducks spend more time with his wife of nearly 35 as an outdoor recreation planner with the Federal him around the world. He’s held assignments Unlimited as regional director. He retired in years, Dianne, and his five children and 16 Energy Regulatory Commission. Over the last in Malaysia, Egypt, Cyprus and Bulgaria, 2004 and continues to hunt and fish while grandchildren. Pender now enjoys leisure time three years, Dan has worked on licensing new and was most recently Director of the State enjoying the beauty of Northern California. hunting and fishing, both in solitude and with hydropower projects, decommissioning outdated Department’s Office of Recruitment and family and friends. He says, “If anyone wants to projects, and compliance issues associated Examination and Employment in Washington, DONALD C. JENSEN, 1969 Natural come see the Grand Canyon, give me a call!” with ongoing operations around the country. D.C. From 2009 to 2010, he and fellow HSU Resource Management, recently retired from While Dan’s specialty is outdoor recreation, he alum Dan Travis (’92, Theatre Arts) served the U.S. Forest Service, but was previously DR. GARY JOSEPH STEBBINS, 1972 Wildlife, says he has the opportunity to be involved in a together at the U.S. Embassy in Hungary. assigned to assist the Federal Emergency couldn’t stay away from education after a career variety of natural resource management issues. “There’s a sense of uncertainty in what Management Agency with Typhoon Sudal in public education as a teacher, administrator, we do,” he says. “But there’s also a lot of cleanup on the island of Yap in the South and professor of Educational Leadership at San SYLVIA ANN MONTGOMERY, 1976 adventure. I get to represent the United States Pacific, a few hours west of Guam. He Jose State University. Stebbins and his wife and English, co-founded the magazine BioProcess and the people of California. I can’t imagine a was assigned to be a forklift operator in a fellow alum, Maureen, built their retirement home International, a peer-reviewed trade better responsibility.” warehouse, and supervised the teaching of at Lake Almanor, but after a brief retirement of publication that reaches 30,000 readers in Submitted Photo

36 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 37 the biopharmaceutical industry. This year is the tenth anniversary of the publication, now Every year, HSU recognizes special topics in British literature. As a volunteer with Youth Educational owned by Informa, a London-based company. Services (YES), she assisted homeless children and served as a prison Montgomery works from her small farm in the outstanding achievements reform advocate. Dexter, Ore., where she provides homes for two or three geriatric llamas at a time.

of a select group of alumni, Distinguished Faculty DALE K. HOFFMAN-FLOERKE, 1978 Fisheries JAMES FLOSS, Department of Communication. Biology, started working for the California students, faculty and staff. Floss received the Excellence in Teaching Department of Water Resources as a student in Award for 26 years of continued excellence 1977, working her way up to deputy director in in his teaching. Students laud his passion 2010. She oversees a staff of over 450 scientists, for the subject of oral communication, his engineers, technicians and administration in MARLA SPIVAK, '78, Biological Sciences. Beekeeping has long creative and original style of teaching and a variety of activities, involving environmental been a passion for Marla Spivak, an internationally renowned his able service as an academic advisor. compliance, restoration and water management entomologist and expert on honeybee health. Spivak, who is focused on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. currently a Distinguished McKnight Professor in Entomology at TERRY HENKEL, Department of Biological Hoffman-Floerke has been married 34 years to Rob the University of Minnesota, received the John D. and Catherine T. Sciences. Henkel received this year’s Scholar Floerke, retired Department of Fish and Game game MacArthur Foundation “genius award” in 2010 for her pioneering of the Year Award for extensive academic warden and deputy director. After graduation, she work to protect honeybees from decimation by disease. publications and for establishing himself worked in Sacramento and Fresno before moving as a leader in fungal ecology and tropical to Davis in 1991, where their two sons were raised. biology. Colleagues rate Henkel the world’s Hoffman-Floerke cherished her outdoor studies The 2011-12 Outstanding Students leading tropical forest mycologist. In the past at HSU and even though she’s in management, CHYNA BALONICK, Kinesiology, Pre- 10 years, he has contributed more than 40 relishes any opportunity to get out in the field. She Physical Therapy. Balonick was honored publications to peer-reviewed journals. See this issue’s cover story still enjoys coming back to Arcata to visit. She says, for her accomplishments as a scholar, for more on Prof. Henkel’s research. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to work LEFT TO RIGHT: Dean Bresciani, Chester Mathis, Marla Spivak, volunteer, mentor and student-athlete. She my entire career in my chosen academic field.” Kenneth Davlin was a member of the Women’s Crew team for four years and has contributed volunteer 2011-12 Staff Recognition GARY A. KILGORE, 1979 Theatre, Film & service with many agencies. Her physical Kellie Jo Brown, Marketing & Communications Dance MFA, spent 30 years in the United States The 2011-12 Distinguished Alumni therapy experience includes La Canada Mason Long, Desktop IT Army before working in the education system. DEAN BRESCIANI, '84 Sociology. After positions in higher Sports Medicine in La Canada, Calif., and Saint Mary Medical Center Lewis McCrigler, Biological Sciences education in North Carolina and Nebraska, Bresciani was named and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, both in Long Beach, Calif. Leila Moreno, Housing DANIEL R. MANDELL, 1979 History, will be a president of North Dakota State University in 2010. Working Allison Oakland, Schatz Energy Research Center research fellow at the American Antiquarian Society for the Humboldt Orientation Program one summer, Bresciani JAHNNA CONSTANCE MAE MOREHOUSE, Bethany Rizzardi, ITS Project Office (AAS) in 2012-13 thanks to an AAS-National realized that helping students was his passion. After all these Critical Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Julie Tucker, College of Natural Resources and Sciences Endowment for the Humanities grant, and will also years, he still credits his experience at Humboldt State for igniting with a concentration in Women’s Studies. Cade Webb, ITS Specialized Apps be a visiting scholar at the Princeton Institute for his passion for higher education. Morehouse’s double minor combines Ethnic Colin Wingfield, Environmental Resources Engineering & Geology Advanced Studies. Mandell’s project is a study Studies and Sociology. She is a Presidential Andrea Yip, Biological Sciences of the shifting notion of equality in America, circa KENNETH DAVLIN, '59-'62 Engineering. As a member of the Scholar and an Associated Students Campus/ 1600 to 1880. Two years ago, his sixth book, “King University’s Advancement Foundation Board, Davlin is part of Community Scholarship recipient. Her Philip’s War: Colonial Expansion, Native Resistance, a team that helps increase charitable giving and manage the extensive volunteer, outreach and work and the End of Indian Sovereignty,” was published university’s endowment. Davlin, whose engineering career has experience includes the HSU Women’s Resource Center, the Diversity by Johns Hopkins University Press for general included work on hydroelectric, wastewater, housing and alterna- and Inclusion Office, workshop and public relations coordination, readers and college survey classes; it was named an tive energy projects, is president of Oscar Larson & Associates, grant writing, teaching assistance, campus activism and organizing, “Outstanding Academic Title” by Choice magazine. a California-based engineering consulting firm. and an internship at the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. RICHARD MAZZANTI, 1979 Forestry, is CHESTER MATHIS, ‘72, Chemistry. Mathis came to HSU as pre-med NICOLE UMAYAM, French and Francophone regional sales manager of national accounts student, but had a greater interest in chemistry. Still, he found a way Studies and English, with a minor in with Overhead Door Corporation, a national to study both by pursuing medicinally related chemistry. Mathis is Linguistics. Umayam held multiple intern- manufacturer of garage, commercial, and currently an endowed chair professor of Radiology and Pharmaceutical ships and teaching and tutoring positions, industrial doors. In 2011, he celebrated 30 years Sciences and director of the Positron Emission Tomography Facility at including in the HSU Writing Center and as an with the company and working in many different the University of Pittsburgh. Last year, the Michael J. Fox Foundation English Writing Lab consultant. She studied capacities. Mazzanti and his wife, Betsy, have commissioned Mathis to develop a compound to identify alpha- French at the Université du Québec Montréal been married for 30 years and have two sons. synuclein, a protein deposit found in patients with Parkinson’s disease. and pursued linguistic anthropology and

38 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 39 natural resource technician; Don Rocha, 1993 Wildlife Be a Part of the Centennial Merv George: Humboldt Management, natural resource program supervisor; Native Returns Home for Six Rivers Post 1980s William Burr, 1984 Wildlife Management, senior Alumni Directory MAY TUAN TUCKER, 1981 Music, park ranger; Julie (Heffner) Lee, 1994 Natural MERV GEORGE (’97, Native American Studies) has never been one works for Bethany Presbyterian Church Resources Planning, interpretive program supervisor; HSU is preparing a centennial year edition of the Humboldt State to shy away from a challenge. While he was a student at HSU, he also in Sacramento as music director. Eric Goodrich, 1985 Geography, 1988 Master of University Alumni Directory. It's being done in collaboration served on the Hoopa Business Administration, supervising park ranger. with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI), a Dallas-based publisher Valley Tribal Council, CRAIG R. DUNN, 1983 Forest Resource of alumni directories. the governing body for Management, spent three years working for the JENNIFER WILLS-MARTIN, 1987 Psychology, the Hoopa Tribe. U.S. Forest Service before moving on to a career as a served as the principal of St. Lucy School, a K-8 Make sure you respond when PCI contacts you to ensure your It meant that his software development project manager. He says he school in San Jose, Calif. She was appointed to the data is correct. You may also choose to opt out by requesting classroom education uses his project management skills to get away from role of president of Carondelet High School, an that your profile data not be included in the upcoming directory. was rooted in practical the office by organizing and leading hiking, camping, all-girls Catholic school of 800 students located Once published, the Directory will be exclusively available to experience. and backpacking trips throughout the year. Dunn next to its partner boys’ school De La Salle in “I would come back says his well-rounded HSU education has served Concord, Calif. After graduating with a Master of Humboldt State alumni. from a Washington, D.C. him well, and he looks back with fondness on Arts degree in Counseling Psychology in 1990, If you have any questions, contact Humboldt State Alumni at trip testifying on fish those early college years that shaped his life. she served as the dean of students and head (707) 826-3132 or [email protected] and water issues and counselor at Presentation High School, San Jose, immediately share those SUZANNE W. LARSON, 1983 Journalism, for 12 years. Following that, she was the academic experiences with the class,” plans to retire at the end of March and looks dean at Woodside Priory School in Portola recalls George, a Hoopa forward to visiting Humboldt County. She says, Valley, Calif., for three years, then moved into the native. “It helped me “Once I get there, I may never leave again!” principalship at St. Lucy School. She is proud to become a better council say that she is using her training in counseling member while becoming GARY E. PERLESS, 1984 Geography, spent two psychology in her work every single day. Submitted Photo a better student.” years in Latin America. Perless has maintained Now after serving in private and federal posts, George has returned his Spanish fluency through travel, friendships, HALEY M. GOETSCH, 1989 Psychology to Humboldt County to become Deputy Forest Supervisor of Six and teaching. He teaches Spanish and World Master of Arts, has been working in California Rivers National Forest, where he oversees the forest’s employees and Geography and World History at West Sound for the past 10 years as a school psychologist public resources, and handles issues related to endangered species, Academy, a private international grade school and school counselor. After working in Lake, watershed, wildfire and recreation. (6-12) in Poulsbo, Wash. Perless lives just outside Calaveras and Mendocino counties, she moved “It’s a job that requires endless communication and keeping up Port Townsend, Wash., with his wife, Jocelyn, back to Humboldt in 2007 with her daughter, with current events,” George says. “It’s difficult, but it’s rewarding and their two children William and Serena. Sonja. Goetsch became engaged to Greg to have influence over the managing of public resources.” He says he would love to hear from any fellow Beaumont, a local photographer and computer George was raised in Hoopa and his mother worked at HSU, so Geography or Oaxaca Program graduates. technician, in August of 2010. Sonja, who started attending Humboldt State was a natural choice. He also grew up kindergarten at Sunset Elementary School and hearing about the academic support programs the University had ERIC GOODRICH, 1985 Geography, sends graduated from Arcata High School in June, for Native students. in the following: All of us in this photograph are has been accepted to HSU. “Go Jacks!” “Once I got there, I really valued the Native programs and the very proud of our Humboldt State education. Native community,” says George. We have used it and our college experiences A Bit of Humboldt – Near You After graduating, George served as chairman of the Hoopa to provide service to the visitors of Santa Tribe, then as executive director of the Klamath River Intertribal Clara County Parks, and to protect and 1990s GET THE NEW APP for Fish and Water Commission. He was also director of the California preserve our natural and cultural resources. YVETTE M. KEMP, 1991 Interdisciplinary smartphones and tablets from Indian Forest and Fire Management Council and regional tribal Studies in Animal Behavior, has been working the folks at Humboldt Made. The app finds Humboldt products relations manager for the U.S. Forest Service. as mammal and hospital keeper at the San Diego near you—gourmet foods, George and his wife, Wendy—also an HSU alum—still reside in Zoo since 1993. She is also president of the San artisanal housewares, craft Hoopa, where they are parents to four children ages 20, 17, 15 and Diego chapter of the American Association microbrews, even jewelry and 13. In his free time, George coaches youth football and is the drum- of Zoo Keepers, a nonprofit organization of body care products. mer in his father’s rock ‘n’ roll ensemble, the Merv George Band. animal care and conservation professionals. He’s also an avid hunter and fisher. FIND HUMBOLDT MADE ON “I love the clean air and being next to rivers,” George says of CARRIE L. LEONARD, 1992 Oceanography, Google Play living and working in Humboldt County. “It’s not just Humboldt was recently named director of advancement HumboldtMade.com

County to me, it’s home and it’s where my ancestors have been Submitted Photo concepts for BAE Systems in Honolulu. In this LoveHumboldtMade on Facebook Coming soon to iTunes! since the beginning of time.” From left to right: Carrie (Gilsdorf) Grisenti, 1995 role, she meets with the user community to Wildlife Management, outdoor recreation program develop technical solutions to its needs. She coordinator; Tracy Cline, 1999 Wildlife Management, has also been named the vice president of the

40 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 Society of Women Engineers, Hawaiian Island Chapter. On a personal note, she is also a soccer coach (U8 American Youth Soccer Organization), baseball and water polo mom, and active triathlete.

ETHAN A. DERNER, 1993 Media Production and Environmental Ethics, has been an adjunct faculty member for the Art Institute of Portland since 2009, teaching classes in editing and multi- camera production for digital film and video. His freelance career mosaic includes producing and directing for clients such as Nike and the Presidio Trust, as well as a feature documentary he is editing for the international markets.

JESSE I. ETTINGER, 1993 Journalism and Mass Communication, became the online and finishing editor at NBC Universal/Bravo Network in September, 2011.

THIERRY D. MANN, 1993 Chemistry, received his doctorate from University of Arizona in 1998, and has been living in Switzerland since 2011.

CAROL M. TAYLOR, 1993 Business Administration, is retired but staying active with her Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers. Until her retirement this winter, she was the ethics officer Get Involved with of the Homecare Division. She plans to spend most of her year in the political scene, working to get two healthcare initiatives on the ballot. She Humboldt State Submitted Photo is also involved in working toward the California There are lots of ways to connect with Humboldt State! Assembly new District 2 campaign, which However you choose to get involved, you’ll be engaged with your includes part of Sonoma and Humboldt counties. Bruce Appelgate: From Surfer Boy to Science Maven alma mater and your fellow alumni. ERICK J. HERRMANN, 1994 Spanish, is an WHEN ALUMNUS BRUCE Appelgate (’85, A specialist in seafloor mapping, he has A veteran of more than 90 oceano- Ways to Get Involved educational consultant, helping schools and Geology) first arrived on campus, he was managed the Scripps fleet of oceanographic graphic research cruises, Appelgate now administrators to better meet the needs of undecided about a career and listed himself research vessels since he assumed the post laughs when he recalls getting seasick Help recruit students English language learners in classrooms in the an undeclared major. One of the things he in 2008. Scripps is known for its expedi- on his maiden Pacific voyage as an HSU United States. Herrmann is also a Professional chose to do amid his uncertainty was to take tionary oceanographic research. “My job undergraduate, even though he’d been an Provide career guidance Association of Diving Instructors scuba instructor a geology class, and it went well. In fact, he is to make sure the Scripps research fleet avid surfer while growing up in San Diego. Share your expertise at a regional alumni event with Seven Seas Scuba in Monterey, Calif. remembers, “It went so well, I thought I’d continues to provide all scientists with the He also surfed off the Redwood Coast as a take another one!” He did, and discovered a best possible access to the sea,” Appelgate student, wearing a five-millimeter wet suit. Help plan HSU’s centennial JANN RONIS, 1996 Religious Studies, is a passion for geology “by accident” under the says. He directs four research vessels, one “You do what you have to do!” he smiles. “I postdoctoral fellow at University of California tutelage of professors Lori Dengler and Bud of the largest academic fleets in the world, am where I am today because of the great Make a gift to Humboldt State Berkeley’s Center for Buddhist Studies. Burke. Appelgate took his bachelor’s degree and was principal investigator on Scripps’ undergraduate education in science that His work involves research in Tibetan and in the subject, with a minor in oceanography. recent successful bid to operate the newest Humboldt State provided. I’m grateful for Select Alumni Scholarship winners and Himalayan Buddhism. He received his doctorate This led to graduate school and a doctorate ship in the U.S. research fleet, an $88 million that.” He still enjoys surfing—and his career Distinguished Alumni Award recipients in Buddhist Studies from the University of in marine geology & geophysics, and today vessel funded by the U.S. Navy now under as a marine geologist enables him to enjoy it Join the Alumni Association Virginia in 2009, and has been actively involved Appelgate is associate director of Scripps construction for delivery to Scripps in 2015. all over the world. for many years with Himalayan Buddhism Institution of Oceanography at UC San He also oversees the Scripps Nimitz Marine through frequent visits to the region, language Diego, in charge of Ship Operations and Facility, the homeport for the Scripps fleet in Learn More: alumni.humboldt.edu/volunteer study, and community involvement. Marine Technical Support. San Diego’s Point Loma community.

Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 43 KENNETH L. SHONK JR., 1996 History, earned RONALD ANDERSON, 2002 Physics and his doctorate in Irish History from Marquette Astronomy, works for a naval shipyard Finding a University in May of 2010, and upon graduation, as a dosimetry technician, doing mostly Kaitlin Yarnall: accepted a position as assistant professor of radiological work. ‘Perfect Blend of Art and Science’ History and Social Studies Education at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. In addition CINDY A. MCKINNON, 2003 Elementary KAITLIN YARNALL (’05, to courses on global and Irish history, Shonk Education, has been working in the Klamath/ Geography) remembers supervises student teachers and offers courses Trinity Joint Unified School District since graduating Humboldt State’s in the methodologies of social studies education. from HSU. She feels that she was well prepared Cartography Lab fondly. In 2009 he served as a research fellow with the for her career and thanks HSU and ITEPP. She It’s the place where she University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Learning. says she is happy to be in such a good place. learned the basics of mapping, design and JASON M. FANCHER, 1998 Theatre Arts JOSHUA W. ALLEN, 2004 Natural Resources, Geographic Information and Anthropology, completed his doctorate received a Master of Public Administration degree Systems—all skills that in Anthropology at Washington State in May of 2012. His studies focused on local later helped land her University in 2009. His doctoral dissertation governmental administration and planning. His first job. is an analysis of animal bones butchered professional project paper was entitled “Social Yarnall was recently by modern Aka and Bofi hunter-gatherers Justice: Can Public Participation Increase It?” He named Deputy Creative of the Central African Republic. Fancher is hopes to find employment as a dedicated public Editor of National currently teaching Anthropology at Mount service worker to build better communities. Geographic Magazine, Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore. where she oversees Know a Deserving Alum? MELANIE M. BETTENHAUSEN, 2005 graphics, maps, art, LISA L. GONZALEZ, 1998 Business Sociology, was promoted to outreach director at design and e-publishing. HSU is seeking nominations for the Administration, is a project analyst in the the North Coast Co-Op. She is now responsible “Good cartography Workforce Management Department for Walt for marketing and membership. Bettenhausen is the perfect blend 2013 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Disney Parks and Resorts. She is currently uses her background in sociology to inform her of art and science, based in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., but assists work in the community around access issues. and that’s something Distinguished alumni are leaders in their fields, and with projects for all segments of the parks and I learned early on at outstanding contributors to their community, nation, resorts division. Her oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, ERIC B. BURKE, 2005 Forestry and Wildland HSU,” she says. or Humboldt State University. is a freshman at Florida State University. Resources, is a registered professional forester and Yarnall credits HSU Her other two children, Nick and Mikayla, working for the Plumas National Forest, Feather Geography professors

Nominations are due no later than Nov. 30, 2012. attend Davenport School of the Arts. River Ranger District, as a timber sale administrator. Joe Leeper and Stephen Submitted Photo Winners will be honored at an event in April. Cunha for helping JONATHAN C. SHULTZ ,2005 Rangeland get her foot in the door. They nominated her for an internship at Resource Science, was recently promoted the National Geographic Society, the nonprofit that publishes the For more information, visit alumni.humboldt.edu 2000s to district conservationist with the magazine, her senior year. Yarnall spent a summer compiling resource or contact (707) 826-3132 NICOLAS E. HAVLIK, 2001 Forestry U.S.Department of Agriculture’s Natural guides for high school geography teachers, then worked as a research and Wildland Resources, is program Resources Conservation Service in Eureka. cartographer for six years. manager for the Integrated Training Area He says, “Thanks, Susan and Ken!” These days, she collaborates with writers, photographers, cartog- Management program at Parsons Corporation raphers and graphic designers on the magazine’s creative direction. in Fort Bliss, Texas. The program focuses on CHERYL B. MILLETT, 2007 Wildlife Master In 2009, Yarnall was part of a team that profiled HSU Forestry erosion and sediment control, native grass of Science, coordinates the python control Professor Steve Sillett’s research on the world’s tallest trees. For reseeding, vegetation monitoring, maneuver effort for southern Florida in the Python Patrol a recent issue on the Titanic, she worked with film director James Give Your Feedback trail maintenance and reconfiguration, and program. She developed and coordinates Cameron and engineers from the U.S. Navy to create an interac- protection of sites both of cultural and biological trainings for state, federal, and local law tive map of the ship’s remains. And earlier this year, she combed HSU IS GATHERING FEEDBACK from alumni as the school significance. It also provides education to enforcement on how to capture pythons. through world population data to create a profile of the world’s approaches its centennial. In the next few months you’ll be the military on the importance of being most typical person. good stewards of the 1,500 square miles of GLENN E. SONNTAG, 2007 Environmental Yarnall says it’s rewarding to be part of team that produces contacted via email for an Alumni Attitude Survey. This online training land that encompass Fort Bliss. Science, obtained a Master of Public one of the most popular photojournalism magazines in the world. survey is quick (about 10 min.). Plus, it’s a great opportunity to Administration, Environmental Science, and Policy National Geographic has a monthly circulation of about 8.5 million share feedback about your time at HSU and help Humboldt State VERENA KELLNER, 2001 Geography, is a from Columbia’s School of International and Public and 3 million internationally. plan for the next 100 years. STAY TUNED! hydrographer currently on sailing sabbatical. Affairs in 2008. He then received a two-year “The best part is being able to share what I learn with so many She is taking time with her fiancé, Mike, to appointment as a presidential management people,” she says. Not sure if your email is current? Contact [email protected] sail their 38-foot sailboat from Mexico to fellow at the Department of Energy in the Office to update your records. Australia via the South Pacific Islands. of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and a

Humboldt State University | humboldt.edu 45 six-month detail assignment at the Department JESSICA A. WHATCOTT, 2011 Environment of the Interior’s Office of Policy, Management and Community Master of Arts, was and Budget, all at Columbia University. hired as a temporary lecturer for the new Shortly after completing his fellowship, he Submit a class note department of Critical Race, Gender, led a delegation of U.S. biofuel scientists on a and Sexuality Studies after receiving her MARK YOUR trip to several locations in India to meet with master’s degree. Whatcott is excited to be humboldt.edu/classnotes government officials, academic specialists involved in this new program by engaging Rufus Wainwright HSU Alumni @ or email: [email protected] and industry experts. They participated in the students in intersectional critical analysis. Oakland Raiders vs. Oct. 4 • 8 p.m. New Orleans Saints 2010 Delhi International Renewable Energy Van Duzer Theatre Conference (DIREC). Sonntag now works as SARAH G. WOOD, 2011 Biology, accepted 707 826-3928 Nov. 18 • 1:05 p.m. a sustainability program analyst in the DOE’s STEWART G. WILSON, 2010 Forestry and an offer from Florida State University to Oakland-Alameda humboldt.edu/centerarts Sustainability Performance Office, which is Wildland Resources, is a Master of Science become an advisor in the Developmental County Coliseum working to make the DOE’s own programs and student and research assistant at University of Psychology program with Dr. Richard Wagner. operations more environmentally sustainable. California, Davis, in Soils and Biogeochemistry. Her doctorate will focus on dyslexia, and alumni.humboldt.edu she will work within the Florida Center for MARK T. MARTINEZ, 2009 Anthropology, NATHAN F. RASMUSSEN, 2010 Physics Reading Research through the National works with youth to advocate nonviolence and Astronomy, says attending HSU to study Institutes of Health Multidisciplinary Learning Madrigals & and encourage empowered, healthy Physics was the best decision of his adult life. Disabilities Center. Wood says she could go Mad River Transit Singers choices. Martinez was inspired to become a He became confident in his problem-solving in a few different directions with her research, Can't-Miss Games mentor with the Tariq Khamisa Foundation abilities and academic field, and also enjoyed including molecular and behavioral genetics, Homecoming Dec. 2 • 8 p.m. through his education in anthropology of the experience with the amazing faculty. classification and classroom intervention, Women's Volleyball & Family Weekend Fulkerson Recital Hall vs. Cal State Los Angeles 707 826-3531 development. He hopes to continue his After graduation, he was hired to teach in the but no matter which direction she takes, Oct. 19 & 20 Tailgate Parties at Oct. 6 • 7 p.m. work with nonprofit organizations while physics lab, and he is now in a doctoral Physics her research will improve the lives of people HSU Campus Football Home Games Lumberjack Arena obtaining his Master of Social Work degree. program at Washington State University. with these disabilities. Florida State contains 707 826-3132 one of the most diverse data sets of people Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and Oct. 27 Women's Soccer humboldt.edu/homecoming SOFIA M. PEREIRA, 2009 Communication, E. SAFIYA BAL, 2011 Anthropology, has with learning disabilities all over the world. HSU Campus vs. Cal State Monterey Bay recently took part in a political fellowship been working as a substitute teacher for She says she is pleased to continue her Oct. 11 • 12:30 p.m. alumni.humboldt.edu in Washington, D.C. with the Women’s the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District commitment to make a lasting impact for HSU's College Creek Field Campaign Fund. Pereira has also joined the since December 2011. As of April 2012 she all underrepresented student groups. Opera Workshop staff of Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro was hired as field technician for Far Western Men's Basketball (D-North Coast) as a field representative in Anthropological Research Group, Inc., based ALISON MORSE, vs. Chico State Nov. 2 • 8 p.m. the First Assembly District’s Eureka District in Davis, Calif. The project is in Vacaville, Calif. 2012 Art, was Jan. 31 • 7:30 p.m. Fulkerson Recital Hall Office. A former Associated Students featured in the Lumberjack Arena 707 826-3531 president, Sofia formerly was an intern in that JENNIFER HUMPHREYS, 2011 February edition Women's Basketball office and also in the Eureka District Office of Anthropology, is earning her Master of of The Santa Clara vs. UC San Diego Representative Mike Thompson (D-Calif.). Science in Primate Behavior at Central Review, a biannual Jan. 5 • 5:30 p.m. Afro-Cuban All Stars Washington University, specializing in publication of Lumberjack Arena molecular primatology. Eventually, she will poetry, writing, Feb. 12 • 8 p.m. be heading to the forests of the Republic of art, and music HSU Biodiversity Women's Softball 707 826-3928 2010s Suriname in South America to study gene through Santa Conference 2012 vs. Academy of Art humboldt.edu/centerarts ASHLEY BAILEY, 2010 Journalism, joined flow through conservation corridors. Clara University. (Doubleheader) with Tyrone Hayes, Ph.D. KPCC-FM as an assistant producer for Morse’s piece, Feb. 2 • Noon of UC Berkeley, Morning Edition in January. KPCC is a National RANI RAM, 2011 Wildlife, has been busy “Strawberry Seed HSU Softball Field featured on TED Talks Public Radio-affiliated nonprofit radio station since graduation applying for Anthropology Holder,” was 2013 Commencement Get the Full Schedule Arcata Farmer’s Market Ceremony in Los Angeles. Bailey has covered stories graduate programs and scholarships to featured in the Sept. 29 & 30 at hsujacks.com such as Occupy L.A., the L.A. windstorms specialize in Primatology. Ram has been visual arts section. HSU Campus Saturday Mornings May 18 • 8:30 a.m. and the recent L.A. arson fires and had her accepted to Kent State, where she will Additionally, Through Nov. 17 humboldt.edu/biodiversity work featured on NPR. Bailey’s new duties be studying the feeding ecology of saki Morse’s copper, “Strawberry Seed Arcata Plaza humboldt.edu/commencement include gathering audio for breaking news, monkeys in the Republic of Suriname with Holder,” was selected in April for humfarm.org writing scripts for news anchors, pitching Dr. Marilyn Norconk. Ram says although inclusion in the Cu|29 exhibition at Mesa story ideas and booking radio show guests. she did not follow a traditional degree path, Contemporary Arts, Mesa, Ariz. what matters most is achieving her desired goals by persisting with education. See More HSU Events at: humboldt.edu/events

46 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 meet humboldt Jahnna Morehouse (’12)

WHAT INITIALLY ATTRACTED JAHNNA community. When I first started working there GREAT PROFESSORS “Christina Accomando, MOREHOUSE (‘12, Critical Race, Gender I was the youngest by two or three years but has been a major influence. I don’t think I and Sexuality Studies) to Humboldt State I was seen and treated as an equal from the would have gained as strong of a foundation University was the distance from her home- start. I was the baby and now I’ve been there in prison abolition so early in my life—because town of Altadena in Southern California. After the longest … it’s been an amazing journey.” it was through her class that I read Angela seeing that the redwood forest was literally Davis and was introduced to the idea of the THINGS a part of HSU, her decision was solidified. FUN IN HUMBOLDT “When I first moved prison industrial complex and the bigger Her work over the past four years with the up here, I went to the beach all the time, implications within that. Christina has been HSU Women’s Resource Center has fueled and unfortunately I don’t get out there as an amazing support for me in the time that her passion for social justice. Morehouse often now.” She does have a dog though, I’ve been here.” [First Day of School] was named one of the 2012 Outstanding so she tries to take advantage of the natural “I feel like I need to say that I didn’t really Students of the Year and graduated in May. environment as much as possible. have a favorite professor though. Everyone She plans to stay in Humboldt for a couple of Another favorite pastime is living room was there for me in a different yet crucial way. From gathering textbooks years to work before (most likely) pursuing dance parties. Kim Berry, Jesse Urban, and Barbara Curiel all to meeting with class- graduate studies. passed on invaluable knowledge and I feel so mates, and discovering proud to have been a part of the Critical Race, just how many hills ESCAPE FROM L.A. “I really liked the pace Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department here and stairs there are at of life in comparison to the way things work at Humboldt State.” Humboldt State, the first in the city. I’m not really into the materialistic, day of class is brimming superficial kind of thing, and you’re so sur- with activity. rounded and submerged in it. Initially, I saw Meet More Humboldt Students this place as an escape from all of that.” humboldt.edu/meet AN HSU MEMORY “The first thing that comes to mind is the Women’s Resource Center. I don’t think I would have stayed here if I hadn’t gotten linked in with that

48 Humboldt magazine | Fall 2012 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521

Thank you! Each year, thousands of alumni give to HSU through the Humboldt Loyalty Fund. These gifts fund projects that make the student experience even better—like new technology, access to special academic databases, and improvements to labs.

One lab that has received funding multiple times is the Biology Core Facilities (pictured). Students from many majors use the lab to conduct research related to genetics and more.